Country singer Ingrid Andress announced on Tuesday that she is checking into rehab after Monday night’s heavily criticized performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at baseball’s annual Home Run Derby, which took place this year in Arlington, Texas.
In a statement shared across social media, Andress admitted that she was intoxicated at the time of the performance before apologizing to her fans.
“I’m not gonna bulls*** y’all, I was drunk last night,” the singer, 32, wrote. “I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition. I’ll let y’all know how rehab is I hear it’s super fun.”
Andress’s label Atlantic Records declined Yahoo Entertainment’s request for comment, but a representative confirmed that the singer’s upcoming shows in Nashville (July 17) and Denver (July 24) have been canceled and that “venues are in touch with ticket buyers regarding refunds.”
Andress’s forthcoming single, “Colorado 9,” debuts July 24.
🎤 A night to forget: What happened at the Home Run Derby?
The four-time Grammy nominee — best known for singles like “More Hearts Than Mine” (2019) and “Feel Like This” (2022) — struggled to hit many of the high notes while performing the song at Globe Life Field, where the event was held.
The national anthem ahead of the 2024 Home Run Derby on ESPN by four-time Grammy-nominated artist Ingrid Andress was interesting, to say the least… pic.twitter.com/p3HkV9Vcvg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 16, 2024
The singer took several artistic liberties, which turned into an off-key, erratic performance that left many stunned and disappointed. When she was finished, Andress motioned to her in-ear monitors, seeming to imply that there might have been an issue with her being able to hear her vocals.
❌ The backlash was swift
The moment became an instant viral sensation for all the wrong reasons. Critics and fans alike did not hold back in expressing their disapproval. Some called the performance “brutal,” while others questioned Andress’s professionalism.
“The worst national anthem performance of all time” one tweet read, encapsulating a widely held sentiment. Some went as far as to say that their “ears are bleeding” after hearing her sing.
Commenters also pointed out that at least one of the baseball players at the derby was laughing during her performance.
Just when I thought nothing could unite this country, America comes together to dunk on — and I say this as politely and objectively as possible — the worst national anthem performance of all time. #HomeRunDerby #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/ov4hWv9X3F
— Moonlight Graham 🌙✨ (@ReeceKelleyG) July 16, 2024
Cincinnati Reds beat writer C. Trent Rosecrans compared the performance to Whitney Houston’s “iconic” 1991 rendition at the Super Bowl, which is often regarded as the gold standard of the song.
“Remember Whitney Houston’s National Anthem performance at the Super Bowl?” wrote Rosecrans. “This is the exact opposite.”
Others were a bit more playful in their criticism, comparing the performance to that of Maya Rudolph’s rendition on a 2006 episode of Saturday Night Live. Some were even pulling for SNL’s Heidi Gardner to have a go at impersonating the artist.
Public criticism softened when Andress shared the news that she was going to rehab.
“Wishing you well as you get the help that is best for you right now,” MSNBC’s Michael Steele wrote on X. “Perhaps, you’ll get another chance to show us why you were chosen to sing our National Anthem in the first place!”
🎶 Vocal coaches react: Why is the national anthem so tough to sing?
Singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a notoriously difficult task, even for seasoned performers.
Broadway vocal coach Tracey Grimaldi told Yahoo Entertainment: “It’s not a song you can sing without really good preparation. It’s an octave and a half, specifically, a range of 12 pitches. You have to know what your first note is, otherwise it’s easy to go off-key.”
That’s especially true when you’re singing a capella (without music accompaniment).
“It’s a really hard song to sing. Everyone knows if you miss a word or a note, which happens because of nerves,” she said. “You can do something a million times in your bedroom, in your shower, but that’s not the same thing as getting out there and doing it in front of everyone.”
Vocal coach and YouTuber Tara Simon noted that not everyone will match up to celebrated performances of Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Demi Lovato or even Meatloaf — and that’s OK, too.
“The song has such an emotional impact and there’s very high expectations because of it,” Simon told Yahoo Entertainment.
However, Simon pointed out upon hearing of Andress’s struggle with alcoholism that “context and compassion matters in these things. You never know what someone is going through.”
“I just wish everybody was nicer to people in general [and] just go, oh well that wasn’t great, then enjoy the game,” said Grimaldi via email. “If it wasn’t great, anyone criticizing her should record themselves singing the National Anthem acapella and post that. If they can do better, they’re hired.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
